Praetorian (Roman Legion II) Paperback – September 11, 2012

As a booklover first and a book seller second, one of the things that grates me more than anything is the person who comes up to me in the bookstore with a new hardcover and asks, "does this come in paper"? If there ever was a case for modern day flogging, that would be it. If you want a book, then you'll GET the book! I only say that to say this: It took some juggling and a lot patience to get this book. And while it wasn't super expensive it wouldn't have mattered anyway, because there was nothing that was going to stop me from getting this book. Nothing. Now that I've completely bored you with information that you could truly give a flying fig about, let me get to the book...Only in Rome could politics be as dangerous and bloody as the battlefield. Macro & Cato return to continue their forced servitude, care of the infamous snake, Narcissus. These two have survived using their wits, their courage, their gall, their brutality, and their luck. This time they'll need all of that to work in concert in order to make it through the next Narcissu's "Mission Impossible: Rome" adventure. Basically there is a plot to murder the Emperor, Claudius, and our two soldiers are asked (yeah, right) to help uncover the conspiracy. Of course the mission is never as straight forward as that, so while trying to figure out THAT simple mission they must also find out who is hoarding all the grain and starving Rome. Yep. How's that for a to-do list?They must stop being soldiers for a while and become spies. This involves interesting things happening to their rank and names. Simon himself says that this isn't the usual battlefield blood and gore that we've come to love but the adventure is still there. I did miss reading about the legions cutting through bone and gristle to slaughter the enemy, but this book is in NO WAY a dud or boring. I found myself feeling that paradox of loving this book and hating myself for flying through it because I'll only have to patiently wait like Job for the next one.There are also a number of funny passages in this book when listening to Emperor Claudius and you will crack up at some of the things that Macro says to Narcissu's face... and back. Both of these legionaries have grown throughout this series and after eleven books, they are as family. I don't reread a lot of books, and I can name the ones that I have reread on one hand. If I'm blessed to live a nice long life this will be a series that I will look forward to rereading in my golden years. If I don't live a long time, at least I've read them now. Melodramatic? Yeah... well who asked you? Well done Mr. Scarrow... well done.

This is still a great series. In the back notes, Simon, the author talks of returning to two old friends, and that is how the series is now.Macro has softened a bit, though still rough and tumble and a better fighter than Cato. Cato is still the brains that keeps Macro away from the trouble he is prone to get into.Here is the closest we have been to the Imperial Purple, Claudius, who is near the end of his tenure. And we see the seedy underside of politics as all prepare for what is to come when Claudius is gone. It is a shame that we do not see the craftiness of Derek Jacoby in the time when Claudius appears. That would have elevated the story I think.Also, there are times when we can see what Cato needs to see two, and three times before he realizes that there is not one simple plot to follow, but many and, well it's complicated. As Imperial politics should be where all are scrambling for power to come.Yet that complexity and the background make this a great read. Though still troubling is that Cato, so close to his lover, would not send some form of communication to her. A subplot we have been exploring for the previous three books.One hopes that having met Vespasian at the beginning of the series our two heroes will continue on for the next reign and the turmoil and then be on hand to aid that Emperor when he comes to power. Many more tales, please!

The Cato-Macro series of 11 novels by Simon Scarrow starts slowly although the pace of the action is good. They are best read as a series. The story and characters do develop well over time and the contrast of the stocky, rough and impetuous Macro is well positioned against the cerebral, more hesitant but resourceful, Cato. By Book 11, "Praetorian," the characters are well formed and the reader is left wanting more - due out I believe in 2013(?). The reads are not fine literature but they are engaging and compelling. The author makes it easier for the reader who has to overlook and forgive the helpful use of contemporary slang which is definitely not of the time! The author brushes against accurate history but the positioning of real historical figures is artificial and more for the sake of the story rather than in-depth historical education. Readers of Bernard Cornwell will enjoy this genre, and I am grateful to Mr. Scarrow for his energy and his ability to invent and perpetuate a good story. I believe these are appealing for the male reader although women looking for testosterone imbued reads will also find them enjoyable.

This Eagles of the Empire series by Simon Scarrow is the best series I've ever read. Every book has been hard to put down. The main characters of Macro and Cato really grow on you and it's exciting to follow them through their adventures. You learn a lot about Rome and the Roman Empire as well as it's military campaigns, strategies and weapons. Mr. Scarrow has done serious research in every region in which his stories are set so there's lots of historical accuracy. He will admit when he has taken literary license to "fill in the blanks" where there's missing information. I love this series!

Scarrow writes a mean novel. I wish, however, that he paid more attention to how Romans were named. It drives me crazy to read of someone who was not of the Julii being called Julia. And let us not mention ending sentences with prepositions. A good read if you are not an editor.

Another very good installment. Holds interest as do all the previous. Would prefer a bit more action and a little less sleuthing. Look forward to the next tale, back with the legions. Would have prefered it on the kindle, finally gave up waiting.

This book takes our two heroes to the streets of Rome, for a very different pace! In fact, this is more like a detective novel than the others, where the action was more war-like. As always, Scarrow's characters are well described and you can almost see yourself walking down the streets of Rome with Macro and Cato!This is well into the Eagle's Series but if someone reads this review and hasn't read any of the previous book, go get yourself the first book (Under The Eagle) and start your journey with Macro and Cato. You won't be disappointed!

As usual a great book with lots of cliffhangers and plot twists. Never enjoyed reading history so much! Much recommended series

Einfach lesenswert und spannend

The series is nice to read.

Another great addition to what is a fantastic series of books, to give you a bit of back story every time a new novel from the series comes out I re-read the entire series. So it took me four months to get to the point of actually reading it and I have to say it was well worth doing, going through the series and all of Cato and Macro's trials made Praetorian that much more believable and enhanced my reading experienced.Back to the book, Praetorian you will be glad to hear is set in Rome (Finally!) where it sees our two heroes Cato and Macro seconded by Narcisus to once again save the empire and more specifically the Emperor from his own family and advisors. Cato and Macro see themselevs caught up in the web of intrigue and deception that was typical of the Roman Imperial family and Roman Politics. Praetorian see's a shift in the normal role of Cato and Macro defending the empires borders to one of spying. But do the pairs high and mighty morales hinder there job in Rome, I will let you be the judge. You will see the introduction of character like Agrippina, Tigilienus, Brittanicus and Nero. Where Macro and Cato mix it with them all and due to there form create enemies along the way. It also see's the return of there arch nemesis Aulus Vitellius.There is a supperb twist at the end of the novel and so as not to spoil the book I wont tell you, but believe me its a superb novel. There is the added extra where Simon Scarrow is interviewed and allows some insight into his novels.All in all Praetorian is a superb read and puts Simon Scarrow up there with the likes of Anthony Riches, Harry Sidebottom and co. I urge you to buy this item a superb read, one which I longed for on a daily basis a massive 5 out of 5 from me.